"LINDENWALD, _May 13th, '61_.
"Many thanks to you, my dear sir, for the compliment conveyed in your
obliging letter.[34]
"But be assured that if the time ever arrives for the consideration of
such a work there is another man in this State who could do it far more
justice than I could hope for, and that is your brother Samuel. For
myself, I shall for the rest of my life have but one thing to tinker on
in that way, and how that will fare in these troublesome times is, I
fear, very doubtful.
"Do me the favor to present me very kindly to your good sister and all
the other members of your family, and to believe me, as ever,
Your friend,
"M. VAN BUREN."